Kok and the Mercedes program teach the delicate art of transitioning from the brake to the throttle pedals while cornering.

Braking in a straight line may be best for beginners and others with less experience on a track, but ultimately the faster method is to use that transition time to re-distribute the weight among the four contact patches as smoothly as possible.

Whichever method you use, there is one constant — smooth is fast.

Kok’s expertise is being put to good use by Mercedes-Benz of Canada. The British Columbia resident has more than 20 years of experience in open-wheel and endurance racing and driver training.

His crew of highly-competent and experienced instructors includes Melanie Paterson, a competitive alpine skier whose need for speed led her to compete in the highest levels of the American LeMans series at the wheel of an LMP1 race car. Melanie can also be seen on TV giving driving tips on various television shows.

The calibre of the instruction fits Mercedes perfectly — high end.

Mercedes has a global presence in driver training. Starting at its home in Germany, the company has developed and offered programs in many countries.

The Canadian operations, based on the European models, includes one for beginners, currently available only in British Columbia and the Mercedes Driving Academy.

The Mercedes Driving Academy consists of a full-day Winter Driving ($795) and half-day Driving Experience ($395) programs at venues across the country as well as the Mastering Performance program ($1,695) held at race tracks.

Each takes place regardless of weather and includes breakfast and/or lunch and the opportunity to drive a wide range of Mercedes vehicles — including AMG models.

The programs provide 12 vehicles for a maximum of 12 drivers and are heavy on seat time with one driver per vehicle and one-on-one instruction.

I participated in the Mastering Performance course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park — nee Mosport. One of the most respected race tracks in the world, it has undergone a complete and impressive upgrade in the last 18 months.

The track itself remains as daunting and fast as ever but now has facilities worthy of a global presence and major events.

The other primary location of the Mercedes Mastering Performance program is Le Circuit Tremblant in Quebec, another recently upgraded world-class track. At both locations you get the run of the full track, not some portion or coned-off parking lot.

These are not courses for the weak of heart. I reached a top speed just shy of 300 km/hr at Mosport in the SLS AMG GT coupe.

That’s right, Mastering Performance participants get to drive the 583-horsepower, $248,000 SLS as well as such “lesser” machinery as the 507-horsepower C63 coupe and the 577-horsepower E63 sedan as well as a range of other models, all while alone in the vehicle.

Kok and crew do not simply turn you loose on one of the fastest tracks on the continent. The day progresses from a short classroom session where you learn everything from how to position yourself in the vehicle to “the faster you go, the slower your inputs should be, whether at the wheel or pedals.”

The case is made that it is not what you drive but how you drive that counts — on the track or in the real world.

Then it is out to the helmets, vehicles and portions of the track, split into two groups with a maximum of six vehicles and drivers each.

One is taught the “trail-braking” technique and the other the proper line — in this case, over the notorious and very fast blind turn two at this track.

After many repeated sessions in each at the wheel of all cars on offer, it’s off to the pits and paddock where we are divided into three groups.

Now we tackle the full track at increasing speeds with an instructor in the lead vehicle — two or three laps at increasing speeds in every one of the cars.

As the adrenalin peaks, it’s time for a break — and lunch. After cooling down — both cars and drivers — it’s back to the track.

Once again, multiple laps in the full array of vehicles. At all points of the day, input from your instructor is encouraging, yet informative with tips and hints that improve your performance.

Our group covered a wide range of ages and experience of both sexes. It was fascinating to watch the instructors take some of the more timid and inexperienced from a snail’s pace to lapping at speed in a matter of hours.

The Mastering Performance course is seriously fast and highly educational. You finish the day with a new-found level of competence and confidence, with skills that will make you a better and safer driver on public roads.

For a car enthusiast of any age or experience, it is hard to imagine a better time!

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